NBTA-USA official statement
Under the vision, leadership, and guidance of Don Sartell, the National Baton Twirling Association has flourished since 1947, inspiring twirlers from across the nation and the world. As we look to the future of baton twirling in our country, we are excited to announce a new chapter in our sport.
NBTA-USA’s mission is to support the growth of the sport of baton twirling in the United States of America. Officially launching on July 20, 2024, this organization will build on NBTA’s great history, rules, and policies, and leverage the vast expertise of our twirling community through the creation of a robust, volunteer-based infrastructure. NBTA-USA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a 5-person Board of Directors and Executive Director, an Advisory Board, and 15 operational commissions that will operate under a set of governing statutes.
The 5-member Board of Directors and Executive Director will manage the day-to-day operations of NBTA-USA and will oversee the 15 commissions. This voting body will review all commission recommendations. The initial Board of Directors will be Kathy Harris, Ann Marie Kennedy, Christine Radi, Major Joanne Schlueter, and Mike Stoeber with Major Beverly Johnson serving as Executive Director.
The Advisory Board will be composed of recognized baton twirling leaders, and its role will be to provide counsel and long-term guidance for NBTA-USA. All current NBTA Majors will be invited to serve on the Advisory Board, and Don Sartell will be invited to serve as the Executive Director Emeritus. Their depth of experience will provide knowledge and wisdom as we move forward. Current majors include Kay Colen, Shirley DeVenney, James Hallett, Beverly Johnson, Dennis Kaminski, Belva Lamb, Margaret Mann, Mickey Marcel, AnnNita McDonald, Joanne Schlueter, and Sherry Vignoli-Parisi.
To facilitate the success of NBTA-USA’s mission, we are eager to include the deep and varied perspectives and talents from across our twirling community. The 15 operational commissions will be composed of volunteers who will have an important role in driving NBTA-USA’s mission. Each commision will work within a specific area to facilitate the growth of baton twirling and provide leadership for the organization into the future. Opportunities will exist for people of all ages and twirling experiences to get involved. We encourage you to consider participating in one of the NBTA-USA commissions.
Each commission will operate independently of one another. They will each be headed by a Chairperson and will have one Board of Director as a liaison. The number of members per commission will vary, but will be approximately 6-10. If you are interested in being considered for a commission, please complete the Commission Interest Form https://forms.gle/vFAjqygdZm26JoLWA, also found on NBTA-USA.org to denote your area of interest before May 10, 2024.
NBTA-USA COMMISSIONS
- COACHES – This commission will be responsible for developing programs and materials to assist in the further creation, development, and retention of baton twirling coaches across the country. The Coaches commission will be available to help coaches solve problems, understand rules and ethical procedures, and suggest ways to make the public more aware of baton twirling. It is by developing and supporting coaches that we can help grow this sport.
- COLLEGIATE – This commission will have oversight on all collegiate events as defined in the NBTA-USA solo and team rules. Current events include collegiate solo, downfield, pride and tradition pregame team, and collegiate halftime show twirl team. The commission will also be responsible for coaches and judges training for collegiate events.
- COMMUNICATIONS – This commission will develop plans for the production, editing, and distribution of NBTA-USA’s digital magazine and will run the organization’s official website. The new website will include, but is not limited to, contest schedule, rules, judges’ directory, professional directory, and regional representatives. This commission will also serve as the initial contact for all comments, complaints, concerns, and suggestions from the twirling community, including athletes, parents, coaches, and judges.
- CONTEST ASSISTANCE / SANCTIONS – This commission will develop a system to sanction and oversee all NBTA-USA events. Among the duties of this commission will be to provide assistance and resources to contest directors as well as promote events through a comprehensive online calendar. One of its main purposes is to standardize and provide consistency of competitions.
- CORPS – This commission will have oversight of all Corps events. It will be tasked with the development of associated materials, mentoring and encouragement of Corps directors and coaches, suggesting rule changes, and continued education of Corps judges.
- DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING (DEIB) - This commission will work to increase the racial and socioeconomic diversity of baton twirling athletes in our country as well as diversity within the leadership. In addition, this commission will assist athletes and coaches to promote twirling for people with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- FINANCE – This commission will be responsible for all financial matters, including budgeting, expenses, and the yearly audit of all accounts.
- INTERNATIONAL TEAM & RELATIONS – This commission will assist in all matters concerning the USA representatives for the International Baton Twirling Federation (IBTF) World Championships as well as foster relations with twirling associations and groups on both the national and international levels. It will disseminate information for international judges training, coaches’ education, clinics, and associated events. It will coordinate with the United States Twirling Association (USTA) for the IBTF qualifying and travel procedures for international competitions.
- JUDGES – This commission will be responsible for the certification, training, and continuing education of our judges. Its role will include, but is not limited to, hosting judge’s workshops, producing informational materials, and maintaining the judges’ manual.
- LEGAL AFFAIRS – This commission will assist in presenting legal questions to NBTA-USA’s attorney. It will also address any issues concerning the safety of twirlers, and suggest rule changes and adjustments accordingly.
- NATIONAL EVENTS OPERATIONS – This commission will have oversight of the promotion, scheduling, registration, and general management of all national level events.
- REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES – This commission will be in charge of the selection and oversight of regional representatives. These representatives are twirling advocates who will (1) focus on creating a higher visibility in their area for baton twirling, (2) assist local coaches and studios, (3) act as ‘field reporters’ for the NBTA-USA’s communication commission, and (4) offer input when asked to study any unexpected problems that may arise in their area. This group will be vital to the promotion and growth of the sport of twirling in their region.
- SOCIAL MEDIA – This commission will be responsible for any and all official social media accounts. The purpose of social media accounts is to serve as an official communication device to disseminate information and to promote the sport of baton twirling.
- SOLO / PAGEANT – This commission will have oversight on all individual events with the exception of collegiate events. This includes Solo, Two-Baton, Three-Baton, Super X Strut, Rhythmic Twirl, Show Twirl, Flag Twirl, Hoop Twirl, Basic Strut, Military March, Duet, Trio, and Modeling. This commission will be responsible for (1) clarification of existing rules, (2) suggesting rule changes, and (3) oversight of rule verification arising in individual solo events. In addition, this commission will continue to uphold the tradition and history of providing contestants with a quality pageant experience.
- TEAM – This commission will have oversight of all team events with the exception of collegiate events. It is tasked with the development of associated materials, mentoring and encouragement of team directors and coaches, suggesting rule changes, and continued education of team judges.
We are excited about growing the sport of baton twirling throughout our country through NBTA-USA. Prior to our official launch, commissions will be formed, sanction requests will be taken and all other processes will be put in place so this organization will be fully functioning on July 20. We look forward to seeing everyone at the National Baton Twirling Championships July 16-19. We are also excited to support the IBTF group qualifier on July 15 and the IBTF individual qualifier to be held in early 2025. We hope you will join in the plan to move this organization forward. More information will be available on the new website nbta-usa.org. Please address questions to contact@nbta-usa.org.